Spirit's up as Fire lose by 12 and Cox to knee injury

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WNBL championship coach and now commentator Lori Chizik said it best: "Bendigo are legit."

The Spirit went into the Fire Pit in Townsville (again) and dominated the Townsville Fire 73-61 in Round 11 of WNBL26 on New Year's Eve.

It came at a significant cost to the Fire as reigning Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Cox went down with a left knee injury with 1:05 minutes to go with the Fire trailing 22-13. Cox was trying to secure an offensive rebound. Cox is third in the league for blocks per game at 2.08.

The Townsville fans watched in silence as Cox, 27, lay under the basket as Fire staff went to her aid before chairing her off and back to the change room.

It was Bendigo's fifth straight win in Townsville and with top spot heading into 2026.

Key Details

• Result: Bendigo Spirit 73 def. Townsville Fire 59
• When: Tuesday, 31st December 2025
• Where: Townsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Megan McConnell (Bendigo Spirit) starred with 17 points, six rebounds and seven assists in 35 minutes.
• Miela Sowah (Townsville Fire) scored 16 points, five rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes.

What Happened

The Spirit established early control, taking a 22-14 advantage after the opening quarter and never relinquishing their lead. Bendigo maintained their eight-point margin through the second period, heading into the main break with a 44-30 advantage. The visitors continued to apply pressure in the third quarter, extending their lead to 64-46 before closing out the contest despite a spirited fourth-quarter fightback from the Fire.

Megan McConnell's exceptional shooting display proved decisive for the Spirit, as she connected on four-of-eight two-point attempts and three-of-five from downtown. Her 50% field goal efficiency and 60% three-point shooting anchored Bendigo's offensive attack, while her seven assists demonstrated her playmaking ability throughout the contest.

The Spirit's dominance from beyond the arc was the defining factor in their victory. Bendigo shot an outstanding 54% from three-point range, connecting on 13-of-24 attempts, while Townsville managed just 30% from deep on nine-of-30 shooting. Kelsey Rees provided valuable support off the bench with 16 points, including three-of-four from downtown, while Kelsey Griffin contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double performance.

Defensively, Bendigo controlled the boards with a 43-38 rebounding advantage, led by Griffin's 10 defensive rebounds. The Spirit also moved the ball effectively with 18 assists compared to Townsville's 15, though they struggled to control possession with 17 turnovers to the Fire's seven.

For the Fire, Miela Sowah provided the primary offensive threat with her 16-point effort, shooting an efficient 57% from two-point range. Alexandra Fowler added 13 points and eight rebounds, while Lucy Olsen contributed nine points with three triples from five attempts. However, the home side's poor shooting from close range proved costly, as they managed just 28% from two-point range compared to Bendigo's 46%.